People may speak to give some information or to state a fact.
They may tell a story or give some instruction.
But it happens that someone makes a promise – this is a different kind of statement.
It is binding on the person who speaks and promising to the one receiving the promise.
What if it is… God himself who promises – we know he cannot fail to carry out what he has promised.
In today’s gospel (Mt.18:15-20), Jesus speaks such words of promise:
“Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
I wonder how many groups of people, gathered together because of Jesus are truly convinced of this?
If suddenly he appeared before their eyes, these people would be astonished.
Yet, even if invisible, Christ is no less present, no less REAL…
Perhaps he would chide them gently with the words he spoke before:
“You, of little faith…” (Mt.8:26)
Note: Another reflection on a different theme in French can be found at: https://image-i-nations.com/23e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2020/
Source: Image: The Church if Scotland